Secrets of Dog Ear Washing: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing the Right Ear Cleaning Solution

First and foremost, avoid using hydrogen peroxide and alcohol to clean your dog's ear canals. These substances can be harmful and should never be used for this purpose.

When selecting an ear cleaning solution, it's best not to skimp on quality. Opt for a reputable brand, as these tend to be less irritating to your pet's ears. Since ear cleaning solutions are generally affordable, it's important not to cut corners here.

Essential Ear Cleaning Supplies

Make sure you have a bottle of ear cleaning solution, some cotton balls or gauze, and, most importantly, patience.

The method of ear cleaning is something most of us are familiar with. However, while researching, I stumbled upon an interesting fact: ear cleaning is actually divided into two distinct categories!

Let's begin with the ear cleaning process. For larger dogs, it's recommended to have two people involved: one to hold the dog steady, and the other to perform the cleaning.

1. Use one hand to gently lift the dog's ear, and with the other, clean and massage the ear canal for about 30 seconds.

2. After massaging, keep the dog still and don't let it shake its head. Use a cotton ball or gauze to wipe around the outer ear.

3. Allow the dog to shake its head.

Now, what are these two categories of ear cleaning methods we've been discussing?

There's ear cleaning for the outer ear and ear cleaning for the middle ear.

Cleaning the outer ear is quite straightforward. Simply pour a small amount of ear cleaning solution onto a cotton ball, lift the ear, and wipe around the outer ear with the cotton ball. Afterward, use a dry cotton ball to pat the area dry.

The method commonly seen in China, where people push the ear cleaning solution bottle directly into the ear canal, is actually for cleaning the middle ear. The solution can be squeezed into the deeper parts of the dog's ear canal. It's important to note that after cleaning the middle ear, you should clean the bottle opening to prevent secondary infection.

What's the difference between these two methods?

If you read yesterday's article, you'll know the significant difference between the two. The outer ear, which requires regular care, is crucial for maintaining ear health. If the outer ear is compromised, the middle ear can quickly follow suit.

This means that cleaning the outer ear is more suitable for routine care, while cleaning the middle ear is better for treatment purposes. Of course, the middle ear also needs care, but not as frequently.

Regardless of the cleaning method, never use cotton swabs to clean the ear canal. Ear cleaning solutions help soften earwax, and the dog's shaking will naturally dislodge this softened wax. Cotton swabs can only damage the delicate ear walls, leaving wounds that bacteria can enter, leading to more ear infections.

What is the correct ear cleaning frequency?

If your dog doesn't have any ear issues, aim for 1 to 3 times of outer ear cleaning per week, along with one session of middle ear cleaning. The frequency of outer ear cleaning can vary depending on the breed.

If your dog has an ear condition, follow your veterinarian's advice. However, be aware that some doctors may recommend daily ear cleaning and medication, which can be misleading. As mentioned before, dogs' ear canals are very delicate, and even gentle ear cleaning solutions can cause damage if used daily.

Internationally, most organizations agree that the minimum ear canal cleaning frequency is every other day. On the days you don't clean the ear canal, allow the ear walls to rest. As for whether you can skip cleaning and apply medication on those days, as always, follow your vet's guidance.

If your vet advises daily cleaning and medication, discuss this theory with them and ask for a more reasonable frequency based on your dog's actual condition.